modesty bit

modesty bit (plural modesty bits)

1. (obsolete, rare) A modesty piece. [18th c.]
   • 1780, Frances Burney, Journals & Letters, Penguin, published 2001, page 151:

     Her Dress, too, was of the same cast, a thin muslin short sacque and Coat lined throughout with Pink, – a modesty bit – and something of a very short cloak half concealed about half of her old wrinkled Neck […].